Harold Harefoot

Harold Harefoot was king of England from 1035 to 1040. His byname, meaning “hare-footed,” appears in medieval sources in varying forms.

Cnut the Great: Cnut was king of England, Denmark, and Norway, ruling England from 1016 until his death in 1035. Harold was Cnut’s son and claimed the English throne after Cnut died.
Witenagemot: The Witenagemot was an assembly of leading nobles and clergy in Anglo-Saxon England that advised kings and witnessed major decisions. The assembly recognized Harold as regent and later supported his claim to kingship.
Alfred Aetheling: Alfred Aetheling was a son of Athelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy who returned to England in 1036. His fatal expedition exposed the danger facing Emma’s family during Harold’s rule.
Death of Harold Harefoot: Harold Harefoot died in Oxford in 1040, ending a reign of about five years. His death opened the way for Harthacnut’s return from Denmark.
Emma of Normandy: Emma of Normandy was queen consort of England, Denmark, and Norway and mother of Harthacnut. Her son Harthacnut was Harold’s principal rival for the English crown.
Regency: A regency is government exercised by someone acting for a monarch who cannot rule personally. Harold first governed as regent while Harthacnut remained in Denmark.
Edward the Confessor: Edward the Confessor was king of England from 1042 to 1066 and a son of Athelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy. Edward was Alfred’s brother and another potential focus for opposition to Harold.
House of Denmark: The House of Denmark was the Scandinavian royal dynasty that ruled England under Cnut and his sons. Harold’s reign continued Danish dynastic rule in England after Cnut’s death.
Harthacnut: Harthacnut was king of Denmark and England, ruling England from 1040 to 1042. His claim challenged Harold’s rule, and he succeeded him as king.
Anglo-Saxon England: Anglo-Saxon England was the early medieval kingdom formed by English peoples before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Harold’s brief reign took place within its late pre-Conquest political order.

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